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Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Ad Hoc Committee on the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center
Meeting of February 10, 2014

Minutes

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center met on Monday, February 10, 2014, in the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building, 1201 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas.

Approve minutes of November 1, 2013 meeting. Commissioner Freeman moved approval of the minutes of the November 1, 2013 committee meeting. Commissioner Pickett seconded. Motion passed.

Commissioner Holt introduced Nancy Fuller, substituting for Joe Thrash, the agency’s legal counsel who was not able to attend. Ms. Fuller said that in response to a commission request, Mr. Thrash had begun reviewing the legal relationships governing the Sam Houston Center, focusing on the commission’s authority in those relationships.

Review of events and progress since meeting of November 1, 2013.

Jelain Chubb provided an update of projects approved by the committee at the July 12, 2013, meeting noting completion of some security projects and near completion of some maintenance projects. Ms. Chubb presented a fire detection and suppression proposal for the Sam Houston Center and responded to questions about its features. The contract for this service will be considered at the full commission meeting.

In response to a request from Commissioner McAfee, Alana Inman provided a list of privately owned items stored at the Center that had been donated for fundraising purposes. Because of questions regarding the legality of storing and selling the items, the committee directed staff to more fully research what the agency’s authority is with regard to such issues and what type of statutory changes would be necessary to allow the agency to store and/or sell items to benefit the Center.

Review of plans for facility repairs and renovations.

Jelain Chubb presented a Revised Plan of Work for the Sam Houston Center to address safety, security and maintenance issues funded by the 83rd Legislature and informed the committee that the agency would put forth an RFP in April to conduct a master site plan. This plan will help address the critical issues of drainage, road repairs, security gate replacement and fence installation, none of which can be performed before the site plan is completed. After discussion, Mark Smith informed the committee that staff would contact Texas Historical Commission-recommended firms that have experience with historic structures to begin the RFP process. He anticipated the process taking up to six months.

There being no further business before the committee, Commissioner Holt adjourned the meeting at 10:10 a.m.